Sorry for disappearing. It was a hectic week at work. In case anyone is curious, I actually do conduct research for a living. As such, I agree with sciski:
I will add a hearty
to this.
A better test? Grab someone who doesn't know what type they are or what MBTI is, ask them their response to this test, record it, then figure out their type afterwards. Then you might have some unbiased data for correlation purposes. Repeat this with 10,000,000 other people for extra data.
Actually, double-blind it... the experimenter just gets the response-to-picture data and establishes patterns with it. Afterwards, the experimenter can get the type data (but named as "type A", "type B", etc) and see if there are matches between patterns of response and each type. When all the items are matched, only then are the types actually revealed.
And then to make things more laborious, tell all the subjects their type, give them a flattering type description, show them yet another picture, record responses, then see whether the correlation between responses and type becomes stronger.
I'm betting it does.
Oh gosh, to be truly evil, tell all the subjects a WRONG (but similar) type, give them a flattering type description and perform the experiment.
Maybe it's bed-time for me.
This would be the end all of all research on personality type! However, no money to be made by anybody. Costs would be phenomenal. In fact, I think they created the big 5 theories because the were easier to test scientifically.
The justification for a qualitative empirical test is to explore a concept that is difficult to explain. When doing this type of research, you are not looking for a definite answer but more for a trend, a tendency, a consensus, etc. Results cannot be extrapolated to the entire population…they are isolated “truths” in and of themselves.
In short, since we all use all 8 functions, I think it’s just more interesting to pick out what fits into what is considered to be typical of the cognitive process than to pin anybody down as a Ni user. I think that attracting more Ni users helps to bring in a more targeted pool.
Therefore, starting with a largely accepted definition of Ni…
Introverted iNtuiting involves synthesizing the seemingly paradoxical or contradictory, which takes understanding to a new level. Using this process, we can have moments when completely new, unimagined realizations come to us. A disengagement from interactions in the room occurs, followed by a sudden “Aha!” or “That’s it!” The sense of the future and the realizations that come from introverted iNtuiting have a sureness and an imperative quality that seem to demand action and help us stay focused on fulfilling our vision or dream of how things will be in the future. Using this process, we might rely on a focal device or symbolic action to predict, enlighten, or transform. We could find ourselves laying out how the future will unfold based on unseen trends and telling signs. This process can involve working out complex concepts or systems of thinking or conceiving of symbolic or novel ways to understand things that are universal.
So based on the definition, we are looking for statements that make links between elements (preferably symbols) and synthesizes them into a conclusion about what follows.
What is not Ni is:
- brainstorming ideas
- noticing details
- interpreting specific elements.
Ok,
Here are my top picks:
Alright, the family either bought the house and they're now beaming with pride and joy. Their own home. It's not their first one. He got a new job, they had to move to another state. Or they're just there to see the house because they're planning on buying it or whatever.
Hmm...the man seems distant. Trouble in paradise? Oh, he's not really that thrilled about mowing the lawn. That takes some regular trimming to stay nice. That poor kid. Teaching responsibility and all that. Isn't child labour nice? But that might also be the start of his entrepreneurship...or it will be the end of it.
She probably wants to have a girl. Definitely. The nuclear family and all that.
- shows that the person is trying to make sense of contradicting elements. Predictions based on Fe
The family is finally off to their new home.
The family lost their home.
Either change represents new beginnings and ambivalence.
- two separate conclusions synthesized
Why is the FOR SALE sign the focus of the picture? Oh, I'll bet the family has lost their home. That's why their arms are around each other; they're trying to comfort one another . . . although they could just as easily be looking at a home they've just bought, embracing each other in a sort of familial bliss. It would be difficult to imagine why the sign would still be up, though. It could be, though, and I suppose it's quite possible that the picture is meant to be ambiguous. If so, it's a portrait not of the loss of homes or of the purchase of them, but somehow of both at once. It's very fitting for these times, when home ownership is surrounded by just as much uncertainty as this picture suggests.
– synthesizing, but no projection into the future.
This family is gonna be slaves of this house and bank for at least next 20 years. American Dream is nothing but a nightmare.
–projection into the future based on Te instead of Fe. No details are even mentioned!
"perfect family" for sale
Some kind of synthesizing, although could be mere interpretation.
I see that picture as a movie. The next thing that happens is, the family turns around together, smiling, and gets in their car, which is packed with their suitcases, and they go down the road on an adventure to their next new house.
– projection into the future that imagines elements related to the picture but not present in the picture.
I also thought this was interesting:
(3)Real estate poster bullshit marketing scheme, your family needs to find the right house to be happy.
– rethinking the box = Ti.
Anyways…despite some raised tempers
I thought this was actually quite interesting.